Cannon Rejects Dismissal Requests from Trump’s Co-Defendants in Document Case
TL/DR –
U.S. District Judge Aileen M. Cannon rejected requests from Donald Trump’s two co-defendants, Walt Nauta and Carlos De Oliveira, to dismiss charges against them in a case involving classified documents. The defendants argued that the charges should be dismissed due to lack of clear evidence that they were aware of an ongoing investigation or knew the documents contained classified materials. The co-defendants are accused of obstructing government efforts to retrieve these materials, with the judge ruling that their arguments could be used as their defense at trial, but not as a reason to dismiss the case.
U.S. Judge Denies Dismissal Request in Trump’s Document Case
U.S. District Judge Aileen M. Cannon rejected requests on Thursday to dismiss charges against Donald Trump’s co-defendants in a classified document case, stating the prosecutors had reached the legal threshold for the obstruction counts.
Trump employees Walt Nauta and Carlos De Oliveira’s lawyers argued for dismissal, citing lack of clear evidence their clients knew of the investigation or that the documents in question were classified. Judge Cannon stated these arguments could be used in trial, but not as grounds for dismissal.
“Any challenges to the Special Counsel’s evidentiary showing can be presented at trial, where the Special Counsel will bear the entire burden of proof as to all essential elements of the obstruction offenses,” Cannon stated.
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The prosecution alleges Nauta and De Oliveira misled investigators and conspired to delete security footage to keep officials from retrieving the boxes from Trump’s Mar-a-Lago property. Nauta is additionally charged with moving dozens of boxes from a storage room at Mar-a-Lago to Trump’s living quarters.
Nauta, a current Trump aide, and De Oliveira, Mar-a-Lago’s property manager, each face multiple charges and have pleaded not guilty.
Judge Cannon held a hearing Friday in her Florida courtroom and appeared skeptical of the co-defendants’ dismissal requests.
Motions to dismiss are often unsuccessful. The co-defendants requested a bill of particulars, providing more evidence details, if charges aren’t dismissed. Prosecutors argue that such a document is excessive and would reveal their trial strategies.
Cannon sided with prosecutors, stating they’ve provided sufficient evidence for the defendants to build their defense. She noted that the Special Counsel isn’t legally required to provide further detail about the controversial boxes.
Trump has filed multiple motions to dismiss the case, with Nauta and De Oliveira joining some of them. Judge Cannon held hearings on two of Trump’s motions, rejecting both, but hasn’t ruled on the others yet.
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